GB Cup 2026 (DEU Championships)

BF Events & Championships > 2026 GB Cup

Entry invitations have been sent.

Open entry window is April 1st to April 12th.

ENTER HERE - AVAILABLE FROM APRIL 1st

The 2026 GB Cup will be held on the 26th April 2026 at EIS Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA.

Also taking place alongside this event:

• 2026 British Para Fencing National Championships
• 2026 British Senior National Championships

Schedule

Sunday 26th April- Check in Closes

Sunday Morning:

Mixed/Men’s Foil: 8:45am

Women’s Foil: 8:45am

Mixed/Men’s Epee: 8:45am

Women’s Epee: 8:45am

Sunday Afternoon:

Mixed/Men’s Sabre: 12:45pm

Women’s Sabre: 12:45pm

Eligibility and Membership Level

The eligibility requirements have been updated for 2026 as follows:

Fencers must be listed on the intermediate rankings and hold a D, E or U rating.
Fencers that have represented Home Nations or GBR at any level are no longer excluded (subject to above requirement).

Where regions have planned qualifying events the top two eligible fencers in each weapon will be invited.

Priority entry will then be offered to fencers based on their intermediate ranking, after which entry will be open to all eligible fencers.

The changes have been made to allow more fencers to access the competition as not all regions have been able to hold qualifying events. The introduction of the intermediate rankings, and DEU rating events is steadily building a community of local and regional fencers who would like the opportunity to fence in a British Championships.

Regions and Home Nations will continue to run intermediate and DEU events that contribute to intermediate rankings or ratings which in turn will allow fencers to be eligible for the GB Cup. For example novice/intermediate regional championships, smaller local opens.

All entrants to the GB Cup 2026 require a Compete membership.

Regions may also accept recreational memberships to enter their GB Cup qualifier. If a fencer finishes in a qualifying position (top two eligible fencers) and has a recreational membership, BF will upgrade their membership to Compete level to allow entry to the GB Cup on the 26th April. The fencer will then be responsible for the payment of the Compete membership at the time of the next renewal.

Entry Process

2026 GB CUP ENTRY PROCESS – BRITISH FENCING

Entry Timeline 

• 9th March 2026 – Intermediate ranking lists to be used to invite top eligible fencers
• 9th March – 30th March 2026 –  Top two from regional qualifiers (where a region has run a qualifier) invited after events take place. (Places will be sent to the qualifiers from the London region after the qualifier)
• 1st- 12th April 2026, 5pm – Entry window for open entry (all eligible fencers are able to enter)

Equipment

Equipment: All fencers must wear the correct kit as per British Fencing rules. BF Safety Rules and Domestic Competition Equipment Requirements. 

Withdrawals

Fencers can withdraw up to 12noon the day before their competition using the online form here: TBC

On the day withdrawals can be done via phone using Event team contact number which is available via Sport80. Entered athletes will be emailed with further details closer to the event.

WITHDRAWAL FORM HERE 

Media, Streaming and Photography

Please see this page for BF event Media Information: BF EVENT MEDIA INFORMATION – BRITISH FENCING

Live Streaming: We are continuing our commitment to live streaming at BF events. Further information on streaming schedule will be released in the weeks leading up to the event.

Media:  Please note there will be filming and photography including live streaming at this event for BF purposes. If you do not give photography and filming permission for yourself or your athlete, please contact events@britishfencing.com before the event.

Photography Policy:  Photography and video using smartphones for personal use only (including coaching and social media) is permitted.

Please be mindful of the age of participants, and read our photography safeguarding policy: https://www.britishfencing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/8_photography_policy.pdf

‘Live streaming’ or broadcasting video in any way, from any device including smartphones, is not permitted.

Media Accreditation

Anyone wanting to take photographs using any kind of professional or semi-pro camera equipment must apply for media accreditation in advance of the event – accreditation will not be available during competition. This means any kind of camera with a detachable lens, and/or using any kind of tripod or monopod.

Media accreditation is for still photography only – no pro or semi-pro video equipment is permitted.

Deadline: Tuesday 14th April, 5pm

Media Accreditation Form

British Fencing reserves the right to refuse or withdraw photographic accreditation at any time without giving a reason.

NOTE: Any person taking photographs of any kind with any device must follow any instructions given by the BF media representatives, the Event Director, and / or the referees. 

Accreditation

Accreditation: Accreditation will be in place for access to the Field of Play (FoP) at the event. There will be no access to the Field of Play without an accreditation.

To apply for accreditation follow the links below:

COACHES ACCREDITATION

MEDICAL SUPPORT ACCREDITATION

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

Deadline: Tuesday 14th April, 5pm

General information

Video Refereeing: We anticipate that video refereeing will be in place from for the finals of the individual events, which will take place on the two ‘finals’ pistes.

Shop: Leon Paul will have a stand at the venue throughout the weekend.

Welfare: There will be a dedicated welfare officer at the event who will be clearly visible throughout. All welfare issues that arise at the event must be reported to the welfare officer present.

Sustainability: As part of BF’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our sport, no single-use plastic bottles will be permitted on the field of play. We hope that the community will support efforts in this area and ensure that everyone brings re-useable bottles to the event.

Prayer Room: There will be a prayer room available at the venue for all three days. Please ask at reception or speak to a member of the team and they will direct you.

Disabilities: BF recognises that many disabilities are hidden and participants in competitions may need additional support throughout the event. Any disability information that you provide in your membership profile (provided that you have given permission to share) will be passed to the organising team and a member of the event welfare team will get in touch to discuss how we can help.

Alternatively you can contact us in advance either by emailing the events team directly events@britishfencing.com, or the BF Lead Safeguarding Officer, (safeguarding@britishfencing.com).

Finally, you can ask speak to a member of the onsite team at check-in. Please note the earlier you raise any additional support needs, the better able we are to make reasonable accommodations.